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Driving in the winter means snow, sleet and ice that can lead to slower traffic, hazardous road
conditions, hot tempers and unforeseen dangers. The best advice for driving in bad winter
weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it. However, if cannot, here are some suggestions to
help you make it safely through winter:

Monitor the Weather

At any temperature -- 20° Fahrenheit below zero or 90° Fahrenheit above -- weather affects road
and driving conditions and can pose serious problems. It is important to monitor forecasts.
Sources for weather forecasts include the Internet, radio, TV, cable weather channel, and the daily
papers.

Be Prepared

Give your car a checkup: Inspect your car’s ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses, fan belts, filters
(air, fuel and emission), PCV valve, battery, tires (for air and wear), distributor and
antifreeze. Also change and adjust the spark plugs and make sure you have a full tank of
gas.

Carry vehicle essentials: In addition to the tune-up, make sure you carry necessary
equipment, namely, a properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack, a
shovel, jumper cables, tow and tire chains, a bag of salt or cat litter, and a tool kit.

Carry a “survival kit”: During winter, always keep survival supplies in your car, including a
flashlight and extra batteries, reflective triangles and brightly-colored cloth, a compass, a
first-aid kit, exterior windshield cleaner, an ice scraper and snow brush, matches in a
waterproof container, scissors and string or cord, and non-perishable, high-energy food.
You should also carry items to keep you warm such as heavy woolen mittens, socks, a cap
and blankets.

Drive Safely

Use care on icy roads: Slow down, leave yourself plenty of room to stop (preferably three
times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you), turn on your lights to
increase your visibility to other motorists, keep your lights and windshield clean, use low
gears to improve traction, and don’t use cruise control or overdrive.

Brake properly: In general, if you have anti-lock brakes, apply firm pressure; if you don’t
have them, pump the brakes gently. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.

Respect the plows: If you must go out, try to wait until the snow plows and sanding trucks
have had a chance to do their work. Also, don’t pass them. Their drivers have limited
visibility, and the road in front of them is worse than the road behind them.

Tips For Skidding

If your rear wheels skid: Take your foot off the accelerator, steer in the direction you want
the front wheels to go (left if your rear wheels are sliding left; right if they’re sliding right), and
brake properly (see above). If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover,
ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times
to get your vehicle completely under control.

If your front wheels skid: Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer
immediately. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return.
As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or
release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

Tips If Stuck

Know the basics: Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper. Turn your
wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way. Then, use a light touch
on the gas to ease your car out.

Improve traction: Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of
the car. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.

Try rocking: Shift from forward to reverse, and back again to rock the vehicle. Each time
you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going. (Check your owner's
manual first -- it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.)

Tips If Stranded

Stay put: Do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to
possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation.

Attract attention: To attract attention, light two flares and place one at each end of the car a
safe distance away. Hang a brightly colored cloth from your antenna.

Stay warm: If you are sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked, run the engine and heater
for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in the tank. To
protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia use the woolen items and blankets to keep
warm.

Maintain fresh air: Keep at least one window open slightly. Heavy snow and ice can seal a
car shut.

Source: The Weather Channel, www.weather.com.